Holiday Gift Cake

Name: Holiday Gift Cake
Ingredients: 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened; 1 cup butter, softened; 1-1/2 cups sugar; 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 4 eggs; 2-1/4 cups cake flour; 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 jar (8 ounces) maraschino cherries, drained; 1/2 cup chopped pecans; 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar; 2 tablespoons milk; Birthday candles, optional

12 ingredients

3 steps

Ingredients

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 eggs
2-1/4 cups cake flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 jar (8 ounces) maraschino cherries, drained
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons milk
Birthday candles, optional

Directions

1

In a bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine flour and baking powder; gradually add 2 cups to batter. Set aside five to six cherries for garnish. Chop the remaining cherries; add to remaining flour mixture with pecans. Fold into batter.
2

Pour into a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Bake at 325° for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes; remove from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
3

For glaze, combine sugar and milk in a small bowl; stir until smooth. Drizzle over cake. Decorate with reserved cherries and candles if desired.